Sun SunOS 4.1.1/4.1.2/4.1.3/4.1.3c modload loadmodule/modload Environment Variable privileges management

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as critical has been found in Sun SunOS 4.1.1/4.1.2/4.1.3/4.1.3c. This impacts an unknown function of the file loadmodule/modload of the component modload. Such manipulation as part of Environment Variable leads to privileges management. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-1999-1584. No exploit is available. Applying a patch is advised to resolve this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Sun SunOS 4.1.1/4.1.2/4.1.3/4.1.3c (Operating System). It has been rated as very critical. Affected by this issue is an unknown part of the file loadmodule/modload of the component modload. The manipulation as part of a Environment Variable leads to a privileges management vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-269. The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Unknown vulnerability in (1) loadmodule, and (2) modload if modload is installed with setuid/setgid privileges, in SunOS 4.1.1 through 4.1.3c, and Open Windows 3.0, allows local users to gain root privileges via environment variables, a different vulnerability than CVE-1999-1586.

The weakness was published 12/31/1999 as confirmed advisory (CERT.org). The advisory is shared for download at cert.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-1999-1584 since 08/30/2005. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be launched remotely. No form of authentication is required for exploitation. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 04/20/2026). It is expected to see the exploit prices for this product decreasing in the near future.The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1068.

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem.

Similar entry is available at VDB-15202. VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Sun

Name

• SunOS

Version

• 4.1.1
• 4.1.2
• 4.1.3
• 4.1.3c

License

• commercial

Support

• end of life (old version)

Website

• Vendor: https://www.oracle.com/sun/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CPE 2.2info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CVSSv4info

CVSSv3info

CVSSv2info

Exploitinginfo

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Countermeasuresinfo

Timelineinfo

Sourcesinfo

Entryinfo

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Discussion